Tag:

Rescue

Rescue & Reward

by TerryLema

Enemies – we all have them. I remember my mother telling me once when I was a teenager that no matter how great and wonderful I was, there would always be people who did not like me. That has proven true through the years.

I have acquired some enemies because of my own careless or hurtful words or actions. Others became enemies through no fault of my own but because I am a Christian.

Psalm 18 was written by David when he was rescued from his enemies, namely King Saul. It begins with a wonderful section of praise for God’s rescue.

“I love You, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my mountain where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I was saved from my enemies.” [Psalm 18:1-3, 20 HCSB]

Wow, look at that list of attributes of this LORD we love so much.  Strength. Rock. Fortress. Deliverer. God. Mountain. Refuge. Shield. Salvation. Stronghold. Savior.

Have you known the God of Rescue as David did?  I have. Have you had times in your life when God brought His strength to bear while you were overcome with weakness? I have. Have you been hidden in the rock, in His fortress, on His mountain, in His stronghold in times of danger? I have.

But notice when you read David’s song of rescue the interesting turn in verse 20. There He acknowledges not just rescue, but reward. “The Lord rewarded me ….” [vs 20]

The LORD rewarded David. It isn’t enough for God to rescue us. In His faithful love, He also rewards us – not because of our righteousness remember, but because Christ died for us and gave us His righteousness. Blessings upon Blessings. Rescue & Reward.

Thank you, LORD. Today we focus not just on rescue, but also on that marvelous inheritance you provide for us in Christ Jesus.  We thank You for both rescue and reward. Amen

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Do you want to be rescued?

by TerryLema

I saw this humorous story in an encouragement email I receive monthly. It made me chuckle – and think!

“A shipwrecked sailor spent several years on a deserted island. One morning he was thrilled to see a ship offshore and a small boat pulling out toward him! When the boat arrived, its occupant handed the marooned sailor a bundle of newspapers and said: ‘With the captain’s compliments. He said to read through these and let us know if you still want to be rescued.’”

Looking at just the headlines this morning, if I were that shipwrecked sailor, I am not sure how I would answer when the captain gave him the option of being rescued or not.

Our Father, through His Son Christ Jesus, made the way for our rescue from death and condemnation. (We celebrated that rescue on Resurrection Sunday.)

Now He invites us to come to Him by faith through the grace He provides. He invites us to be reconciled. Even though we are enemies, He has made a way for us to become His Children.

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” [2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV]

Like that shipwrecked sailor, however, we have the option of accepting that rescue offer (reconciliation!) or spending the rest of our lives (and all eternity) shipwrecked.

The choice is ours. This is one time it is imperative we choose wisely.

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Rescue Me

by TerryLema

The third two-word request of David in Psalm 143 is “rescue me.”  It comes right after David’s requests to experience God’s love in the morning, and for the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s will, knowledge, and wisdom.

“Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I come to You for protection.” [vs9]

No one likes to think they have enemies. I remember my mother telling me once that “no matter how wonderful, charming, and great you are, there will always be people who don’t like you.”

I know I have irritated many people throughout my life by my personality or my words or my actions or inactions.

I also know that in this world we will certainly gain enemies if we stand up for truth. We will gain enemies if we align ourselves with God Almighty. We will gain enemies if we promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ to an ever-darkening culture.

David was God’s anointed king. That anointing by God brought the wrath of a rejected king down upon his head. He needed God’s protection and rescue. The anointing of God on our lives will also bring down the wrath of those who do not understand (nor want to understand) it.

Most of our enemies now only oppose us with words or by rejection. That could change in our country, opposition has certainly become more aggressive and violent in other countries. To pray each morning as we awake, “grant me protection and rescue, O God,” is becoming more necessary than ever before.

 

Amen & Amen.

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Between a Rock and a Hard Place …

by TerryLema

The Red Sea in front, the Egyptian army behind. That is the situation of the Israelites after leaving Egypt in the Great Exodus. They have nowhere to go and nowhere to hide. And the most amazing thing of all is that God put them there. 

God told Moses to turn the people back and camp between Migdol and the Sea. All the while the Egyptians were massing their army to set out after them, having regretting letting them leave. God’s purpose was two-fold. He intended to eliminate the Egyptian army so that it could not pursue the Israelites and to show the Israelites His amazing power. (Exodus 14:13-14)

All the Israelites had to do was stand still and be quiet and let the LORD God Almighty fight for them: “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” [Exodus 14:14 NIV]

Or, as the Holman translates it: “The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet.” [Exodus 14:14 HCSB]

Stand still. Be quiet. Oh, how we hate to stand still and be quiet! Let’s move! Let’s raise a ruckus. Let’s storm the ramparts!

The LORD fought for the Israelites. The waters parted. Three to six million people crossed on dry ground. Then God released the waters as the Egyptians tried the same, killing the entire army, and that all happened in a day. A day!

It may seem like there is a great sea of opposition in front and an army chasing us from behind, but Beloved, the LORD is still fighting for us. Things can change in a moment. Let us look expectantly to the LORD for deliverance! Amen!

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